The Obama campaign defended Biden and said his words were meant to counter Republican promises to "unshackle" the economy from regulations. Biden himself later said he had intended to use the word "unshackle," and that "it's their policies and the effects of their policies on middle class America" that is "outrageous."

And here is a clip of new GOP vice presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan talking about the need to "unshackle our economy" when he delivered the Republican response to President Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address.

In other political news from Tuesday:

"Two longtime Republicans, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and Rep. John Mica of Florida, turned back conservative challengers in primaries on Tuesday while 12-term Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida was trailing tea party challenger Ted Yoho, a veterinarian and political novice." (The Associated Press)